The Benefits of Blackout Window Treatments for Better Sleep and Comfort

Earlier this year, we explored standout travel trends for 2024 and the growing emphasis on quality sleep and creating sleep-friendly environments. Whether you operate a hotel, hospital, or vacation rental, those in your care are prioritizing a peaceful night’s sleep. 

How can you create a more comfortable sleep environment? Investing in blackout window treatments is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to upgrade your space and encourage healthy sleep. Here are some of the top advantages of blackout coverings:

1. Better Quality Sleep

Blackout fabrics are designed to block out external light, creating a darker environment ideal for sleeping. By using blackout fabrics to create a dark and sleep-friendly environment, you can improve your guests’ chances of getting a good night’s sleep and enjoying the benefits that come with it. This includes helping guests fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Additionally, blackout window treatments promote the natural production of melatonin, which is essential for maintaining a healthy sleep-wake cycle.

2. Enhanced Comfort

According to the NIH, room temperature is one of the most important factors that can affect human sleep. In addition to blocking light, blackout window treatments can also help with regulating room temperature by insulating against heat in the summer and cold in the winter. This can create a more comfortable environment for sleeping, leading to better rest. By minimizing disruptions from external sources like noise or changes in outdoor lighting, guests can enjoy their sleep environment.

3. Cost Savings

In addition to regulating room temperature, blackout window treatments can achieve cost savings. By blocking out heat in the summer and cold in the winter, they can reduce the need for heating and cooling, potentially lowering your energy bills by as much as 20%.

What are my options?

There are many window treatment specifications available to create a comfortable, blackout sleep environment and our team of experts is here to help you select the best option based on your style, budget, and room layout.

1. Solar Shades

An outside mount solar shade provides a modern look with clean lines. To block out the most light, we recommend mounting with a 6” overhang on each side of the window. We also provide options like fascia and top covers to fully eliminate any space that light could peak through. 

If you want the clean look of solar shades but don’t have the space around your window to allow for outside mounting, inside mount is another option. With this option, we suggest pairing with side and sill channels for maximum light blockage.

2. Draperies

Draperies are classic and come with great blackout options including our popular ripplefold and pinch pleat (or French pleat) styles. Specifying proper returns and overlaps will ensure light is effectively blocked.

Selecting Blackout Fabrics

Whether you choose solar shades or draperies, you will need to ensure you choose an appropriate fabric for the treatment. For solar shades you will see fabrics advertised as 0% or blackout, which have the same meaning.

For draperies, you may choose a decorative blackout coated fabric, or opt to select any standard drapery fabric. We can then sew a blackout lining behind it. While decorative coated fabrics are more cost effective, sewn-in lined options tend to have a better hang or drape in the final product.

Finishing Touches

Finally, top treatments and cornices can add an extra layer of light protection in addition to being a style element in the room. While these are not stand-alone products, they pair nicely with solar shades or draperies as a finishing touch.

Ready to get started? Reach out to our interiors experts today to learn more about blackout window treatments. We will be happy to guide you through the process and develop a custom plan of action for your unique spaces.